Let’s talk cypress

geckogalaxy:

fimbry-talks:

Cypress mulch is a really nice bedding for reptiles with higher humidity needs, but it is not good for cypress forests!

The current rate of logging and creation of cypress mulch is destroying the ecosystems that depend on these trees. While other woods may grow quickly, cypress does not. We are also attacking the younger trees for mulch, which is ruining the chances of the forests returning.

Cypress trees may never even grow back from many areas they are being logged due to human interference. Once you destroy these forests, they do not recover.

“A scientific
panel commissioned by Governor Kathleen Blanco in 2005 estimated that 70-80% of Louisiana’s cypress
forests could not regenerate if logged, even if they are replanted with cypress trees[3]. Many factors, such
as the presence of levees along the Mississippi River and the construction of spoil banks from logging
operations and oil and gas drilling, combine to create stagnant and salty swamp ecosystems that are unable to
sustain cypress. Once cut, these areas will no longer regenerate without restoration activities because cypress
seedlings are unable to grow. If large stands of cypress trees cannot regenerate, even with plantings, it is not a
sustainable or renewable forest product.” Source

“Such a loss would have dire consequences for Louisiana wildlife. At least 60 percent of all U.S. bird species, including snowy egrets, roseate spoonbills and threatened wood storks, pass through the swampy forests of the Gulf Coast. While some of the cypress on which those birds rely becomes flooring and furniture, much of it ends up as mulch in gardens across the country.” Source

Along with wildlife, cypress trees are critical in protecting the gulf states from fierce storms.

“Approximately
every mile of cypress forests reduces the storm surge height by a foot.
Cypress swamps are the best natural storm protection that
exists along the Gulf coast, and they are uniquely situated to
reduce the impacts of flooding
“  Source

It isn’t just Louisiana’s problem either. Florida is also cutting down these forests at unsustainable rates.

“In Florida, 129,000 tons of cypress mulch and 145,000 tons of cypress lumber are produced per year from wetland cypress trees.

Per year, 20.4 million cubic feet of cypress are cut, but the trees’ natural replacement growth is only 17.1 million cubic feet; If this keeps up or increases, we will soon run out of cypress trees.

Cypress trees are essential components of Florida’s wetlands, and wetlands are vital ecosystems that directly or indirectly benefit all life in this state, including human life.“ Source

Save the wetlands and refuse to buy cypress products.

This is important! Cypress is basically the #1 used substrate for BTS, especially northerns, and it’s important to me to care for my animals in a way that is also doing the least amount of harm to the ecosystem as possible. I am in the process of trying out different mixes of alternative options to find something that will suit their needs and leave cypress out of the mixture. I already keep my higher humidity BTS on an orchid bark mix (which is fir; typically douglas fir) with orchid bark, sphagnum, and some other things. Hopefully soon I will convert all of my skinks over to this once I get the mix just right.